A deeply divided society: that’s what Jamaica’s leading civil society coalition fears will be the consequence of the current agitation over the country’s existing anti-buggery law.
The Jamaica Civil Society Coalition, in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, said it was “deeply concerned about the manner in which the current debate about the repeal or retention of the sections of the Offences against the Person Act related to anal intercourse is being conducted.”
In the weeks since the firing by the University of the West Indies of Professor Brendan Bain as Director of a regional HIV/AIDS programme, known as CHART (put on hold by a court injunction), following his testimony on behalf of a church group in a case brought by a gay rights activist in Belize, religious groups and others opposed to repealing the law have been protesting against what they see as a threat to free speech in Jamaica.
Weeks of protests have been staged outside the regional headquarters of the UWI at Mona in St. Andrew and the Montego Bay based campus in western Jamaica.
Half-Way-Tree
On Sunday, thousands of Jamaicans staged a rally in Half-Way-Tree, one of the busiest intersections in Kingston, to press their demand that the status quo regarding homosexuality be maintained.
That rally was organized by church groups under the umbrella of Jamaica CAUSE, a new civil society body.
Visas
Also on the weekend, a little known organisation – Citizens Advocacy Group International Support Initiative (CAGI) – called for the revocation of US visas issued to Jamaican Government officials and citizens who violate the rights of homosexuals.
The group, which claims to be affiliated with international gay rights organizations, also wants aid supplied by the US and Europe to Jamaica withdrawn.
CAGI, in its statement, asserted that it would not allow members of the religious community to dictate the rights that gay men are entitled to and called for the Government of Jamaica to address the attack on the gay community and enforce the constitutional rights guaranteed to all citizens.
All Jamaicans
Against the background of these conflicting developments, the Jamaica Civil Society Coalition wants all sides to advocate their cause in a manner “which reflects a greater spirit of mutual respect and consideration.”
The Coalition is seeking to remind all involved that despite their differences, “we are all Jamaicans and we must find a way to live peaceably together in our island space.”
Furthermore, the release states, “every Jamaican citizen is deserving of a hearing and of equal protection under the law of the land and under the principles of human rights to which we are signatories.”
We must not allow the point and counterpoint which is a hallmark of a democratic process to become a vehicle for intimidation,” the statement said..
Accordingly, the Jamaica Civil Society Coalition wants an end to what it has characterised as “inflammatory and dismissive statements,” and to “the stigmatization of entire groups based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, religious convictions or other difference of whatever kind.”
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